HC Deb 31 January 1957 vol 563 cc223-4W
Dr. D. Johnson

asked the Minister of Health the number of mental defectives detained in hospitals and colonies at the appropriately convenient date in each year over the past ten years, and then at five-yearly intervals prior to that as far back as the inception of the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913.

Mr. Vosper

The following are the figures:

On 31st December, 1916 … … 4,411
On 31st December, 1921 … … 11,140
On 31st December, 1926 … … 19,195
On 31st December, 1931 … … 28,112
On 31st December, 1936 … … 40,068
On 31st December, 1941 … … 46,637
On 31st December, 1946 … … 51,373
On 3Ist December, 1947 … … 52,243
On 31st December, 1948 … … 53,225
On 31st December, 1949 … … 54,494
On 31st December, 1950 … … 55,803
On 31st December, 1951 … … 56,681
On 31st December, 1952 … … 58,009
On 31st December, 1953 … … 59,084
On 31st December, 1954 … … 59,781
On 31st December, 1955 … … 60,457

These numbers include persons out on licence from these institutions, of whom there were 6,336 at 31st December, 1955.